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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To anonymously report a colleague?

44 replies

BoldBlackCherry · 30/07/2014 14:43

I've been in my new job 2 weeks.

It's a supermarket and local so I shop there too. One of the young guys who works on the Checkouts talks about drug use non stop. He talks to his mates who come into the shop about racking up lines after work, rolling joints and getting fucked on mdma. I can hear him clearly when I'm stacking the aisles so it's obvious customers hear it too. I've already told him and he just laughs. I think he thinks it's big and clever and makes him seem hard. It doesn't. He is embarrassing himself because he doesn't know what he is talking about, saying things like he needs to pick up needles for his coke and he drinks speed. It's absolute bollocks and I'm sick of listening to it.

It's the same in the staff room, other members of staff have commented on it and just laugh about him. I know someone has reported him to management and nothing was done about it.

I was thinking of writing an anonymous letter to the store manager, pretending to be a customer reporting him to see if anything will be done.

I'm sick of it and don't want to report myself because I'm new and don't want to be known as a grass or something similar. I'm not sure how close everyone is and what the set up is with the store.

Aibu? And what would you do in this situation?

OP posts:
MrsWinnibago · 30/07/2014 21:42

Well I wouldn't want a staff member saying those things in front of my children! Of course its the OPs business. It's very inappropriate for him to say these things in public.

Primafacie · 30/07/2014 22:14

Anonymous letters? Impersonating an innocent bystander overhearing (or pretending to have overheard) something?

Am I the only one thinking about Andrew Mitchell's 'gategate' incident?

OP this is an incredibly stupid idea. YABVU.

Happy36 · 30/07/2014 22:18

The anonymous letter sounds fine to me in this context.

I can understand you are wary of reporting it in person if others have done the same and management has ignored it.

If this guy is really doing the things he talks about he is taking a lot of risk and you would be justified in writing the letter to help him.

ICanSeeTheSun · 30/07/2014 22:21

I am surprised nobody has reported him yet.

I don't have a problem with someone talking about drug, especially if my DC are with me as it gives me the opportunity to discuss drugs with them if they ask.

Icimoi · 30/07/2014 22:22

I agree that an anonymous letter would be really stupid. If the employer found out it was from OP, she wouldn't have this problem any more because she'd be out of a job.

scarletforya · 30/07/2014 22:25

So you're thinking of reporting a guy for not taking drugs? Confused

Jengnr · 30/07/2014 22:33

Either report it or suck it up.

Anonymous notes are a shithouse trick

BookABooSue · 30/07/2014 23:17

You've only been in the job two weeks, focus on settling in rather than trying to cause trouble for a colleague.

If his conversations are so loud that everyone can hear them then it would follow that the management are already aware of them too. If that is the case then either they don't think it's a cause for concern or they have already spoken to him about it. Either way, they don't need to share their actions or policy with you, and by raising it you're questioning their judgement.

I don't think it will make a good impression to complain about this when you're new to the job and company.

RedSoloCup · 30/07/2014 23:30

Why do you even care? Is he directly effecting you and your job? Leave it to the management!!!

ilovesooty · 30/07/2014 23:38

So how long does she have to work there before she's allowed to raise concerns?

SqueakySqueak · 30/07/2014 23:47

So how long does she have to work there before she's allowed to raise concerns?

Official policy, she can complain day 1.

Practically speaking, she might want to make a few friends first, as the "office tattle tale" is a bad reputation to start with.

BookABooSue · 30/07/2014 23:47

ilovesooty tbh I wouldn't be complaining about anything in a new job until I'd been there at least a few months. Until then I wouldn't be sure of the dynamics of the organisation and I wouldn't want to inadvertently complain about the bosses' best friend iyswim.

Although, let me be clear, if it was a problem relating specifically to the OP (ie someone was being abusive to her) then of course she could complain as soon as it happened. This isn't the case here. It's a situation that seems to have pre-dated the OP joining the company. It's a situation that doesn't impact on the OP any more than it impacts on her other colleagues. And, it's a situation that the OP says has already been brought to the management's attention. I just don't see what the OP has to gain from complaining about this.

FatherDickByrne · 31/07/2014 06:18

If I were management, I'd be down on this like a ton of bricks. It is simply not appropriate to talk about drugs in a public-facing role. Doesn't matter where: supermarket, pub, restaurant, shop. The guy is a representative of the company & needs to act professionally. I was in my local Tesco & a young member of staff started shouting down the aisles that he was going to the toilet. That's nice, dear.

hoboken · 31/07/2014 06:28

What is the issue - the fact that you are sick of listening to him or that his work is substandard? He may be fantasising lying about a life he mistakenly thinks is glamorous. Where is the evidence?

If he took drugs at work it would be different. Just get on with your work and ignore him. IF he is spending his minimum wage on recreational drugs he may become incapable at work and get himself sacked. In the meantime, just let it be. His conversation sounds boring - one track ponies are, but any of us can be capable of that!

Nowaysis · 31/07/2014 06:43

I'm shocked at some of the responses to this thread.

It is the OP's problem - if she can hear it, customers will. Some may be put off, some may complain, some may use social media to complain. All not great outcomes for a business. Customers pay everyone's wages and with less customers, the payroll budget is cut, as are either hours or jobs, or both. It is the OP's problem.

I can appreciate people not wanting to get involved or make a fuss because of being scared of their own jobs, but what happened to pride in the workplace? Integrity? If it is a big company, there will be a whistleblowing and/or grievance policy.

Unless he is taking the drugs at work or it's affecting his work performance, then I'm unsure what HR can do tbh...

The person is potentially bringing the Conpany'a name and brand in to disrepute; unacceptable level of behaviour; wasting Company time not doing his job because he is talking; potential drug use (which a decent employer would provide support if there is drug use); breakdown in trust / confidence in him to be professional at all times - these are just a few allegations I would put forward to him in an investigation meeting to answer for.

OP - request a meeting with the store manager, not your supervisor. Write out your main points, including how you have been led to believe its previously been ignored. Explain as a customer and employee, what he is saying is damaging to the store and provide as many examples as you can

foxinthebox · 31/07/2014 06:59

OP. Leave him alone. Crack on with your own job and mind your business. Anonymous letters are for twisted, bitter women in Agatha Christie novels.

ScarlettlovesRhett · 31/07/2014 07:12

I agree with previous posters re anonymous letters leaving a bad taste.

An anonymous letter is sneaky and underhanded - I would have no respect for anyone I knew to have done that tbh.

If he really is that bad, then just have an informal chat with your line manager about how customers can hear him etc and let it be dealt with openly and honestly.

ilovesooty · 31/07/2014 07:27

Great post, Nowaysis

NorwaySpruce · 31/07/2014 08:01

Look, if the guy has been like this for a while, it's obvious no one else cares that much.

Not management, not other staff, not customers.

Because in real life, no one really thinks the company's image will die a death because an underpaid staff member is a bit gobby.

There is something seriously twisted about sneaky, lying, note writers though.

You've only been there 2 weeks. They can fire you for shit-stirring, or even for no particular reason at all.

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